In a little rosewood casket
That is resting on the stand
There's a package of old letters
Written by a true love's hand
Will you go and get them sister
And read them all tonight
I have often tried but could not,
for the tears would blind my sight.
Bring this letter she has written,
she whose voice I've often heard.
Read them over to me, sister
For I've cherished every word
Tell her, sister, if you see her
That I never cease to love
That our dying pray to meet her
And e 'er you shall have finished
should I calmly fall asleep
Fall in sleep and death to wake not
Dearest sister, do not weep